Cold weather and winter conditions affect how quickly and confidently a vehicle can drive on the road. And so that you don't get lost among the huge variety of winter tires, and have time to purchase them at an adequate price, we have compiled a rating of studded winter tires for 2019-2020.
The review is based on the results of the 2019-2020 winter tire test carried out by popular magazines - Autoreview and Za Rulem.
We have compiled a new winter tire rating 2020which includes the best spike and friction models.
How to choose winter tires, which is better
Studded tires. If you drive most of the winter on snow-free, icy roads or heavily rolled (and thus slippery) surfaces, studded tires are the way to go. They are distinguished by the presence of spikes, retracting grooves in the treads, and sipes (small cuts) in the checkers.
Non-studded (friction) winter tires are divided into:
Scandinavian tires. In addition to the advantages inherent in studded rubber, they do not damage the asphalt, since they do not have studs, and are very soft themselves. But they have a lot of lamellas and small diverting grooves.
All-season. Ideal for wet and warm winters, suitable for short trips on snowy roads. Not suitable for driving on ice and thick snow. These tires have a small number of grooves and sipes.
Central European. This type of tire is suitable for short-term use on icy or snowy asphalt and wet roads. There are sipes, as well as large grooves for the fastest removal of snow and water.
For operation throughout Russia, it is recommended to opt for studded tires. An exception is possible only for the Southern Federal District.
Rating of winter studded tires 2019-2020
10. Toyo Observe Ice Freezer
The average price for a tire is 2 779 rubles.
Characteristics:
- Seasonality: winter
- Spikes: yes
- RunFlat Technology: No
- Chamber: no
- Diameter: R14 / R15 / R16 / R17 / R19
The 2019 2020 winter tire rating opens with Japanese-made tires. It is extremely popular with motorists looking to purchase mid-range, high-performance tires.
The Ice Freezer winter tire has been designed for tough winter driving conditions. It features Ice Force cleats with pentagonal carbide tips, and special Snow Blade lugs in the shoulder area. The latter should increase the cross-country ability of a car caught in deep snow and rut.
While the Observe Ice Freezer handles ice well, its wide grooves allow it to provide good grip on snow. However, the Autoreview experts who conducted the testing were not happy with this tire, calling its grip on ice and snow cover "mediocre"
pros: does not dunn much in frosts down to -30 degrees, good directional stability, cross-country ability, confident acceleration and braking.
Minuses: noisy driving on dry asphalt.
9. Bridgestone Blizzak Spike-02
The average price for a tire is 4,910 rubles.
Characteristics:
- Seasonality: winter
- Spikes: yes
- RunFlat technology: no
- Chamber: no
- Diameter: R13 / R14 / R15 / R16 / R17 / R18 / R19 / R20
Bridgestone's Blizzak tire line has an impeccable reputation. The latest generation products continue to be highly regarded for their on-ice performance, while the snow grip of these tires has been nearly perfect since the early days of Blizzak.
This is exactly what many motorists want: a reliable winter tire that is suitable for driving on icy conditions that often occur on Russian roads in winter.
While previous generations of Blizzak winter tires have had a reputation for wearing quickly, Bridgestone engineers have worked hard to improve their durability, as the Blizzak Spike-02 demonstrates.
Some of the best winter tires feature directional studs and a V-shaped tread design with high density center edges. This will give you much better handling than with tires from many other manufacturers.
This rubber behaves confidently on icy, dirty, wet surfaces. Enters corners without surprises, and rarely loses pimples.
pros: dense, durable rubber.
Minuses: noisy, hesitantly brakes and turns on a snowy mess.
8. Yokohama iceGuard iG65
The average price is 5,200 rubles.
Characteristics:
- Seasonality: winter
- Spikes: yes
- RunFlat technology: no
- Chamber: no
- Diameter: R16 / R17 / R18
If you need “winter slippers” for cars that can be safely operated in urban conditions, then the iceGuard iG65 is perhaps the best choice. If you need to quickly accelerate or brake on wet and snowy asphalt, then they will cope with this perfectly.
On dry and bumpy roads, the handling is smooth and soft with these tires. But on the ice they feel insecure and prone to drifts. Therefore, only the eighth position in the rating of winter studded tires of 2019-2020 is prepared for them.
Pros: good rolling resistance, low noise, wear-resistant, studs firmly in place.
Cons: not the best choice for traveling on ice, high price ..
7. Pirelli Ice Zero
The average price is 3,550 rubles.
Characteristics:
- Seasonality: winter
- Spikes: yes
- RunFlat technology: optional
- Chamber: no
- Diameter: R14 / R15 / R16 / R17 / R18 / R19 / R20 / R21 / R22
The legendary Italian tire manufacturer has produced really high quality Ice Zero tires. They are easily recognizable thanks to the V-shaped tread pattern and large grooves that are great for getting rid of snow and slush. And the rubber compound provides safe braking distances on ice and in solid snow.
Pirelli's exclusive cleats feature a patented tungsten double long core. They are less susceptible to wear and have high adhesion properties with an icy surface.
Despite the presence of spikes, Pirelli tires perfectly accelerate and brake on dry and wet asphalt, not much inferior to all-season and summer tires. The native element of these tires is “walking on ice”, both on bare ice and on snowy slush, under which there is ice.
pros: Spikes do not fly out, rubber feels stable on any kind of winter road surface.
Minuses: very noisy, ride comfort is inferior to other tires in the top 10 winter tires of 2019.
6. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic
The average price is 3,510 rubles.
Characteristics:
- Seasonality: winter
- Spikes: yes
- RunFlat technology: no
- Diameter: R13 / R14 / R15 / R16 / R17 / R18 / R19
Curiously, the American manufacturer Goodyear is more highly regarded in Europe and Russia than at home. One of his most popular products is the Ultra Grip Ice rubber, available in a wide range of sizes and at prices ranging from reasonable to the toad-inducing.
It's worth noting that Goodyear also offers an impressive range of SUV and SUV tires.
Ultra Grip Ice's aggressive design helps optimize traction on snow and ice. And thanks to the tough tire tread, the car rides well on asphalt. So it is perfect for daily trips in Moscow or any other metropolis.
pros: low fuel consumption, in all driving situations, this tire behaves predictably, does not tan in the cold thanks to a special mixture.
Minuses: quickly loses thorns, makes a lot of noise.
5. Gislaved NordFrost 200
The average price is 3,300 rubles.
Characteristics:
- Seasonality: winter
- Spikes: yes
- RunFlat technology: no
- Chamber: no
- Diameter: R13 / R14 / R15 / R16 / R17 / R18 / R19 / R20
This Swedish brand with a hard-to-pronounce name is a longtime competitor to Nokian and is part of the Continental Tires family of high quality at the right price.
These studded tires have an asymmetrical tread pattern with a V-shape to improve drainage. This will help prevent aquaplaning in slushy conditions. The combination of three-dimensional stepped sipes in the center of the tire and sawtooth sipes (Gislaved calls them "sinusoidal") provide excellent traction even on icy tracks.
The design of the NordFrost 200 spikes is also interesting, which are made in the form of a three-pointed star with truncated tops. Each stud has a large number of traction edges and edges, which improves traction when accelerating, cornering, braking and other situations.
pros: cleats firmly, excellent directional stability, quieter than most competitors.
Minuses: slows down badly on ice.
4. Nokian Nordman 7
The average price is 3,285 rubles.
Characteristics:
- Seasonality: winter
- Spikes: yes
- RunFlat technology: no
- Chamber: no
- Diameter: R13 / R14 / R15 / R16 / R17
If you often drive around town with winter tires, then the Nokian Nordman 7 is definitely not worth choosing. Her driving on asphalt pavement disappointed the Autoreview testers.
But on loose snow these tires row so that they leave behind the famous Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9. And this with fewer studs. So for suburban trips in snowfall and for icy roads, they are ideal.
pros: smooth running, not too noisy, even studding.
Minuses: in the puddles in the spring, aquaplaning begins.
3. Hankook Winter iPike RS2
The average price is 3,240 rubles.
Characteristics:
- Seasonality: winter
- Spikes: yes
- RunFlat technology: no
- Chamber: no
- Diameter: R13 / R14 / R15 / R16 / R17 / R18 / R19
Third place in the 2019-2020 winter studded tire tests went to Korean tires, whose strengths are handling, course following and cross-country ability on ice and snow (including rolled and slightly icy snow).
On bumps, small irregularities and potholes, this model runs very smoothly, and is distinguished by a surprisingly low noise level for studded rubber. During the tests "Behind the Wheel", experts positively noted the braking and confident acceleration on a snow-covered surface. But these Koreans do not like extreme maneuvering and aggressive driving style and show themselves not from their best side. And trips on asphalt are not their "strong point".
pros: wear-resistant, dashing into corners, does not lend itself to drifts with normal driving style.
Minuses: soft sidewall, brakes poorly on asphalt.
2. Continental IceContact 2
The average price is 3,705 rubles.
Characteristics:
- Seasonality: winter
- Spikes: yes
- RunFlat technology: optional
- Chamber: no
- Diameter: R13 / R14 / R15 / R16 / R17 / R18 / R19 / R20 / R21
Continental is a German tire brand, and many of the cars produced by German automakers are “shod” in its model.
Experts "Za Rulem" and "Auto Review" together gave IceContact 2 an honorable second place for their efficiency on ice and snow. Predictable handling is one of the most important qualities of a tire in winter season, and IceContact 2 has no problem with that. Numerous sipes absorb moisture and slush and provide reliable traction on heavily snowy and wet trails.
pros: better acceleration and braking on snowy surfaces, perfect longitudinal and lateral grip on icy roads.
Minuses: not the best road holding on asphalt and handling on snow with aggressive driving style.
1. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
The average price is 4,690 rubles.
Characteristics:
- Seasonality: winter
- Spikes: yes
- RunFlat technology: optional
- Chamber: no
- Diameter: R14 / R15 / R16 / R17 / R18 / R19 / R20 / R21
The best winter tires 2019-2020 in the ranking are made by a Finnish brand, which is recognized by most experts in this field as the best winter tire manufacturer.
The new Nokian - Hakkapelliita 9 - behaves confidently when cornering at high speeds and under extreme braking, is not afraid of an icy track, and is suitable for driving on slush, ice and dense snow.With it, the car will gently go through bumps, and you do not have to worry about the iron horse going into a skid.
Overall, these tires have demonstrated excellent performance and competence in all driving conditions.
A special feature of the Hakkapeliitta 9 is the presence of two different types of anti-slip spikes. Perhaps soon the same will appear in the line of tires of other manufacturers, but at the moment they are only at Nokian.
pros: very firm spikes, excellent directional stability.
Minuses: hums and howls strongly. But you can't get everything at once.
Winter tire tests 2019-2020
Winter tires have undergone a rigorous test before making our list. Merciless and skilled testers have tested numerous sets of winter tires, few of which have made it to the finish line. This is how it was.
Winter tire test "Behind the wheel"
The Za Rulem experts chose dozens of the best tires from models from Western and Eastern manufacturers. In each category, 6 new sets of the most popular standard sizes were presented - 195/65 R15.
As in the case with "Autoreview", tests took place in Sweden, only not in March-April, but in mid-January. At this time, in the Swedish town of Arvidsjaur, which became the base for the testers, there were frosts (minus 7-14 degrees).
The tests were carried out on two Volkswagen Golf cars. One was equipped with equipment that recorded the acceleration time and the magnitude of the braking distance. The second, with a stabilization system that can be turned off if necessary, helped to assess directional stability and handling. At the same time, the pilots studied the behavior of the tires both when driving fast with an initial slip phase when entering corners, and when driving with entering corners at almost full speed.
Winter tire test "Autoreview"
Held at the Swedish Arctic Falls test site in March-April last year. It covers about 5 hectares and provides the trails necessary for comprehensive testing of winter tires. In March, Autoreview employees tested the behavior of tires on a snowy and icy track, and in April they measured the braking distance on asphalt, both dry and wet.
Experts tested 22 sets of tires of the most popular size (205/55 R16). Of these, 13 were studded. They were all provided by the manufacturing companies.
A large number of studded tires in comparison with non-studded tires in "Auto Review" was explained by statistics. About 70% of Russian motorists choose “nails” for their iron horses.